City of Wanneroo records strong growth in annual report

THE City of Wanneroo’s assets increased to about $2.9 billion last financial year, according to its 2016-17 annual report.

Chief executive Daniel Simms said the City’s financial position remained “sound” and the asset had increased in value over the past 12 months by more than $434 million to about $2.9 billion.

“The City’s asset portfolio continues to grow, reflecting continued investment and inheriting assets in infrastructure such as community facilities, parks, roads, landscaping and community safety such as street lighting,” he said in the report.

The result from operations remained steady with a $7.9 million surplus and net assets increased by 17.8 per cent.

The report also said the City delivered 81 per cent of priorities in its corporate business plan on time.

Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts said highlights of 2016-17 included completion of the Pearsall Hocking and Quinns Mindarie community centres.

Mrs Roberts said other highlights for the year included five free community events that attracted a record 27,000 people, a 38 per cent increase on previous numbers.

She said the City also held the country’s biggest Australia Day citizenship ceremony, with 795 residents becoming citizens on January 26, 2017.

“It has been a busy year with both council and administration engaging with the community to ensure residents have significant input to the strategies, plans and projects that help shape our City,” she said.

“This collaborative approach has resulted in the successful delivery of many projects.

“Our City remains the largest growing local government authority in WA and is now home to more than 208,000 people, which is expected to grow to more than 300,000 by 2030.

“During the 2016-17 financial year we welcomed 140 new residents to our City each week.

“Sustaining this growth rate requires continued investment infrastructure and services to support the lifestyles of our residents.

“The City embarked on an ambitious $82.9 million community-informed capital works program for 2016-17, delivering new infrastructure, facilities and upgrades.”

Mrs Roberts said the City wanted to strengthen transport links, create an environment for businesses to prosper and create 100,000 local jobs in the next decade.

“We will continue to build on the success of the Connect Wanneroo campaign to ensure the rail line arrives in Yanchep and Alkimos,” she said.

The mayor said the City would maintain pressure put on the State and Federal governments to extend the Mitchell Freeway beyond Hester Avenue.